Wednesday, 10 July 2013

Ray Dencer was searching through a large box of theatre programmes and came across a program of the PHS production of "Princess Ida" (1976). The four pages of the programme are scanned for you below.

The other item is a scan of the front cover of a D'Oyly Carte programme for season 1972-73. Alan Crosskey, Eric Jarman, Garth Wright, Mr. Akers and Raymond took most of the cast and crew by coach to see the G&S production at the Saddler's Wells Theatre in London. As they were driving through Brixton near the old Orange Coaches Depot, one of the boys asked why the Orange coaches were green in colour. To which a quick-witted Mr. Jarman replied: "Because they're not ripe yet!"

Friday, 5 July 2013

John Shirley - who taught English at PGS back in the 1960-70's writes. He is in good health. In recent years that he has met up with Martin Smith, Peter Shaw and Peter Wood of PGS. Last October he directed 'A View from the Bridge' at The Playhouse, Cheltenham and Peter Wood and his wife came to see it. Peter is now rehearsing 'Heroes' to be performed next month. He is grateful to Purley for enabling him to look backwards and forwards with pleasure.He is in contact with other teachers David Coy and David Shepherd who both are very well.

His email address on Fas et Patria is incorrect. It should read have read the.shirley AT blueyonder.co.uk. ( I have replaced the @ with AT in a probably pathetic attempt to stop spam robots harvesting his email address ).

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

"The course is aimed at anyone who wants to develop their skills," he explained.

"It spans improvisation, extracts, and short scenes to work on, where everyone will get the chance to direct as well as act – and everyone will work on one another's scenes, to talk about their strengths and weaknesses."

In his lengthy directing career, Mr Shirley has produced a number of plays by Arthur Miller – his favourite playwright – including the Death of a Salesman, A View From A Bridge, and The Crucible. He said good examples of amateur dramatics produced to a high standard was Epsom Downs, which was at The Playhouse in 2008, and Dorian Gray, produced in March.

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

Some Frith photos have been sent showing the Parade of shops back in the day...Editor's Note:Graham Tong has pointed out that " I believe one shot is the parade of shops next to the old school but I think the top one is the parade of shops in Taunton Lane - looking down to the chippy on the corner?`'